Briefs for Dec. 31

Forest service public affairs officer named

Kim Vogel has been named public affairs officer for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.

"(Vogel) has broad experience in communications and public affairs. She has outstanding experience in community relations and partnerships and has a very keen understanding of how these relationships benefit the public and the Forest Service," said Mary Peterson, forest supervisor.

Vogel's background with land management agencies includes natural resources, planning, education and interpretation, recreation and public service, and most recently she served for more than five years as the Hahn's Peak/Bears Ears District Ranger.

Price of first-class stamp will increase to 39 cents

The price of a first-class stamp from the U.S. Postal Service will increase to 39 cents from 37 cents on Jan. 8. The postcard rate will increase 1 cent to 24 cents the same day. The first-class and postcard increases are part of an overall rate increase of about 5.4 percent recently approved by the postal service's board of governors.

Permits soon needed for Buffalo Pass backcountry

People wanting to use a newly restricted 7,300-acre tract of the Buffalo Pass backcountry will need a permit beginning Sunday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Maps of the Buffalo Pass Permit area can be downloaded at www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/news/ 2005/11/29.shtml.

The permit requirement does not apply to any other part of the 1.1 million acre Routt National Forest, according to the service.

Daily permits are available at Dry Lake, Muddy Creek and Grizzly Creek winter trailheads. Daily, seasonal and annual permits are available at the Forest Service office in Steamboat Springs. The permits are free this winter but will require a fee next winter.

Two new exhibits displayed at art center

"Beyond Fibers: New Forms" and "Shadows in Fabric: A Figure Study," two new exhibits at the Depot Art Center, will be on display through Jan. 18. Admission to the exhibits is free. The Depot's hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 879-9008.

College offers free English classes twice a week

Colorado Mountain College offers free English as a Second Language classes for all levels. Classes meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays in Room 302 of Willett Hall, 1330 Bob Adams Drive. To enroll, call Jenny le Roux at 870-4534.